The MST program to Machu Picchu includes one day more at Aguas Calientes for fine subtropical birding and very good lodging. Fixed departures from Cusco.
Day 1. We shall be arriving early to Cusco and we shall explore Huacarpay lake and make a short visit to Sacsayhuaman fortress above Cusco. Around midday we reach Urubamba for Lunch. Above Ollantaytambo we will explore the dry valley for species like Rusty-fronted Canastero, White-tufted Sunbeam, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Giant Hummingbird, Great Sapphirewing and White-bellied Hummingbird. After an early dinner we will take the last train to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night at the good Hotel Hatuchay Tower. (Be sure to book very early!!)
Day 2. In the early morning we shall bird along an uphill trail to the ruins. We will of coarse have a guided tour at the famous citadel, but we shall also search for the endemic Inca Wren and Green-and-White Hummingbird.
The area below the ruins is rich in birds and many good species can be seen such as Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, Mitred Parakeet, Barred Parakeet, Andean Guan, Cock-of-the Rock, Ocellated Piculet, White-eared Solitaire, Highland Motmot, Variable Antshrike, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, White-crowned, Sierran and Highland Elaenias, Saffron-crowned, Flame-faced, Rust-and-Yellow and Beryl-spangeled Tanagers, Mottled-cheeked and Sclater´s Tyrannulet and many more. Night at excelently located Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.
Day 3. Yet another morning´s birding. The birding at the hotel is outstanding with many Hummingbird feeders where Chestnut-breasted Coronet and Gould´s Inca among many others attend. In the afternoon we return to Ollantaytambo by train. Night at comfortable Pakaritampu Hotel.
Day 4. We will get up very early for the drive up beyond the Abra Malaga pass at 4200m and continue to the north side of the pass and the wet temperate forest at Canchayoc. Here we may see Diademed Tapaculo, Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant, Golden-collared Tanager, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Parodi´s Hemispingus, Marcapata Spinetail, Tit-like Dacnis and many others. Rusty-breasted (Leimebamba), Red-and-White, Rufous and Undulated Antpitta are often heard and with some luck we may be able to lure some of them into view with play-back of its song. Returning to the pass around midday we will do a short, but quite strenuous walk to the quite disturbed Polylepis woodland on the ridge beside us. This is the most accessible high Polylepis woodland that holds the very rare Royal Cinclodes, Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant and White-browed Tit-Spinetail. Other birds that may be seen here include Giant Conebill, Line-fronted and Junin Canstero, Puna (Andean) Tapaculo, Stripe-headed Antpitta, Thick-billed Siskin, Tawny Tit-Spinetail, Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant. On the way back to Ollantaytambo Andean Parakeet, Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, Creamy-crested Canastero and Tit-like Dacnis may be seen. We shall press on to Cusco, to board the last flight to Lima - or alternatively connect with a trip to Tambopata or Manu.
